Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Harris-Garvin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My adolescent years is where I’ll begin. I lost my mother at the age of 15 years old. After my mother passed away, my aunt placed me in therapy. While therapy was a great idea, I felt my therapist was unrelatable. She didn’t look like me, talk like me, and she didn’t seem to understand me. While she did not work for me, I found it important to talk to someone, so I joined my high school’s “women’s group”. Both the counselor from that group and my principal always provided me with a safe place to talk and words of encouragement. During this time, I also took an Introduction to Psychology course that sparked my interest in human behavior and the mind.
I relocated to Georgia in 2006 from Brooklyn, NY. For the first few years’ life was “lifing.” I was stressed, overwhelmed, and afraid. Yet, I was hopeful and had faith God would turn things around. The only thing I knew to do was stay as close to Him as possible. I attend Bible College studying Christian Counseling for a year before deciding to finish my bachelor’s degree in psychology & human services.
Although I obtained my bachelor’s degree, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Until one day a life coach I was seeing suggested I become a life coach. So, I gave it a try. Throughout the years I became accustomed to talking to people as I spent a lot of time working on my own healing, personal growth, and development. I attended several spiritual retreats, workshops, counseling and had mentors. However, there was a desire to go a step further I went on to obtain a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.
Hard work and determination inspired me to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Georgia. I’m the owner of Starting Point Development Center, LLC, a private practice in Douglasville, GA. Co-owner of Kouple of Thoughts, LLLP, which provides relationship coaching, pre-marital counseling, and classes. I am also the founder of Transform-Heal-Empower-Inspire- Restore (THEIR) Youth Inc. THEIR is a non-profit organization created to pay homage to all of the programs that helped me during my rough adolescent years. We are in the process of developing an after-school program for middle and high school students focusing on education, community service, mentoring, and counseling.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey definitely has not been smooth. I lost both parents by the age of 22 years old. I attempted college two times before I obtained my bachelor’s degree. I started projects and stopped them several times. There were major setbacks at times, but the biggest challenge was in my mind due to self-doubt and limiting beliefs. Thank God I was able to move past them.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from others is my heart and my faith. I currently have three businesses they are separate but connected. First Starting Point Development Center, LLC is a private practice in Douglasville, GA. My team and I offer individual, family, and couples counseling for children, adolescents, and adults. We start seeing clients from age seven to adult. We specialize in depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, and family issues.
In partnership with my husband Kahbron Garvin we founded Kouple of Thoughtz, LLLP, we provide relationship coaching, pre-marital counseling, and classes for couples.
However, to be honest it’s my newest endeavor that has been in my heart the longest. My non-profit Transform-Heal-Empower-Inspire-Restore (THEIR) Youth Inc will work to ignite change and create opportunities to enhance the future of our youth; by teaching essential life skills, supporting academic achievement, and promoting individual and family growth through counseling. Once fully operational, THEIR Youth would make me the proudest because the idea is over 20 years old. This organization will incorporate everything that helped me achieve my success: counseling, applying leadership skills through community service and mentorship. I’m seeking additional board members and partners for anyone interested in connecting.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I had a fun and loving childhood. It’s so hard to name one favorite memory. I really enjoyed and continue to enjoy family time. Growing up in my family meant constant laughter, playing games, and eating great food. A set of memories I will always cherish is prior to my mother’s death we would spend Christmas Eve/Christmas at my aunt’s house in the Bronx. It was filled with everything mentioned above, plus lots of people and toys. We always had the best time and when we got home, I was super excited because “Santa” always brought more toys and presents to my house.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.startingpointdc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingpointdc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THEIRYOUTHINC/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/koupleofthoughtz/
Image Credits
Dream Lens Photography (Shakirah Abdul-Rashid) Kahbron Garvin
